Lessons #47, #48,and #49

Well, I can't say much has changed at my lessons. Still struggling to produce the sound I know I am capable of. I am making fairly steady progress at home, but it seems to stay right there...at home. I will forge ahead and not give up!

Lessons #45 and #46

Well, I'm getting close to 50 lessons! Wow, how time flies! Lessons 45 and 46 were not very different, as far as progress goes, but there is always awesome info that I need to hear! However, at both lessons my teacher and I discussed the fact that I can sing much better at home, alone, than I can in front of her or anyone else..including my husband! This has got to change, but how? Well, at this weeks lesson, she asked me to record some of my practice because she wanted to hear what I am doing and what I am hearing, at home. So, while Jeff was away, I did. I recorded one of the songs that we have been working on. I sent it to her and received a reply that began with, "Success!". I know she must have been pleased with what she heard, as compared to what she usually gets to hear me do at our lessons. I definitely struggle with aspects of the technique, at home, and have a long way to go, but I am improving and I am glad that she was able to hear that improvement. Maybe this will help me to do better at my lessons. We'll see. This was a big step for me, though, because I do get frustrated at times, at my lessons, when I know I can do something but can't get it to happen for my teacher. So now, she knows what I am capable of. Yahoooo! I thank God for allowing me to get that recording done for her! He knows how much I wanted her to hear it. Jesus is so totally cool and blesses me beyond measure! Thank you, Jesus for always being there to help me! Does He help you, too?

Lessons #43 & #44

Well, recital is over, and now I have the Christmas Recital and Festival to work and look forward to! We have begun some new pieces, which hopefully will help me make progress. We will be beginning an Italian piece soon, too. As slow as my progress seems to be, I was listening to my second lesson, the other day, and realized that there has definitely been progress made! Going back and listening to that gave me a good perspective. This weeks lesson was very good. Well, every lesson is awesome, but having listened to this weeks lesson several times already this week, there are some things my teacher said that hit me a bit differently. That is what is so great about hearing the same things over and over..eventually, something's going to hit me! I told my teacher a long time ago, to PLEASE keep telling me everything over and over, and over again! I need to hear it all! So, today something she said hit me, as I was driving. It made an instant difference in my singing..this includes airflow, space, vowel shape, just about everything. I was very excited and look forward to more practice! We have the next couple of weeks off for vacation, but I will continue to update on my facebook page about practice. God is so good! That He allows me to do what I do, have the friends that I have, have the husband I have, and all the other cool things He has in the works...wow, I am blessed! Praise God! He surely takes care of His kids! See y'all soon!

Voice Lesson #41 & #42

Been working toward singing at recital. It went well, for the most part. Some aspects went ok, and some didn't. All in all, though, I am very glad that I did it and will continue to take advantage of every opportunity to perform in that type of venue. It is a very different type of performing than I have ever been used to, and despite my nerves, I do enjoy it very much. Progress is slow but sure. I think a big part of my issues is that I am just not confident with the technique, so when I am singing in front of anyone, whether it's my teacher, a judge, or at recital, or anyone else, my nerves and lack of confidence get in my way and inhibit any ability that I may have to execute the technique in any sort of proper form. My teacher said, and I agree with her, that the best way to conquer that is to continue to perform in front of people at every opportunity. So, this I will do! We are going to look into doing some Italian songs, which my teacher is hoping will help me make some progress. I am looking forward to this! Well, we forge ahead, as usual, giving glory to God, all the way! Without Him we can do nothing! I thank Him for the progress I have made, for the difficulties I have, for the opportunity to study classical voice with a brilliant teacher and for the ability to sing, at all. My God is awesome!

Voice Lesson #40

Hey, gang! So, my 40th voice lesson was chock full of great information, but what's new, right? That darn Passaggio is still giving me lots of trouble, but sooner or later, it is going to have to submit. My focus right now, though, is getting through this next week. I am very anxious about recital, though I know that no matter how I do, it is good for me to do it. It's good for me to put myself in uncomfortable singing situations, like recital and Festival, because the more I sing in front of people the better it is for me. I think we have settled on the two pieces I'll be doing, but you never know, there is always a chance of a late breaking change in songs. The reason for a change would be that one of the songs is just not sounding good enough. There is one other song option at our disposal..if we have to play that card, we have it. Other than that, I am very slowly noticing some improvements. Not so much with my overall singing, but I am aware of more and more things that are inhibiting me with the technique. This is good, but it's still very difficult and will take a long time to break habits and put all aspects of the technique together, at the same time, in the form of a song. It seems that everything never all works together, correctly. In other words, I may be breathing well, but my placement is off, or I don't have the internal space. Or maybe my placement is right on, but I'm lacking support. All of these aspects of classical technique have to be correct, and work together, otherwise it just doesn't happen. I will just continue on, practicing and singing at every recital and festival, no matter how much I don't want to, because I lack confidence in my ability. I know some of you are thinking, "aww, she shouldn't lack confidence", but seriously I am not good at all at the technique yet, I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I just am truly not good at it yet. It will be a long time before I am. My teacher and I both know this. It's just the nature of classical voice. It is not something that is learned and mastered quickly. I love it, though and will keep on, keeping on! Praise God for giving me the determination, discipline, and desire to this, and for an amazing teacher who has more patience than I deserve, and an amazing husband who stands with me all the way! I love you, Jesus!

Voice Lesson #39

So, today's lesson...really great! I did not sing well, but we did do some exercises that helped me get my placement in a better spot, which is always a good thing! I have been doing the same exercises during practice this week, so I am happy to say that practices have been going well! We also pretty much decided that I am going to do a different song than what we thought, for recital. I am just not there with this one particular song, and I know it. As far as I know, I will be singing two pieces for recital. I am very nervous but I know I need to do this. I feel very inadequate next to these kids, but I will survive, I suppose. I also am still having great trouble with the Passaggio. That is an area that just won't give in...very stubborn. I will continue to plug away at it though, just like with every other aspect of classical technique. As I've said before, if you desire to get into this, start now! It will takes years to get good at it. I am at a year now, and have such a long way to go, yet. I love it though, I really do. Every aspect of it. I truly enjoy it. Thank you, Jesus for the opportunity to do this and for the people you've put in my life as a result of it. I am so blessed and thankful! I give you all the glory, Lord!

Voice Lesson #38

Today's lesson was filled with great info. My problem is getting all that info out of my head and into my body! I feel like I am still trying to hold my breath and also I have so much tension, and can't seem to keep the correct shapes on the inside, with my palate. Very frustrating, for sure. Sometimes I wonder why I keep trying. It would be so much easier to just give up, and continue singing incorrectly, but then I remind myself that if I were to give up, at that moment I will have lost. If I continue on, I will eventually get better. I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but it's even more difficult than I expected. I will not give up, though. If I stop giving it all I've got, I will never improve. I have to remind myself that a year is not long at all in learning classical voice, especially at my age. I know I have a long way to go, and a lot of work ahead of me. I have to persevere, no matter how difficult it is, and no matter how discouraged I might get. And don't get me wrong, I am not in a constant state of discouragement, but I do have my moments, especially lately. I have to stay positive, though, and forge ahead...it's my only option. A positive attitude and practicing everyday, even when I don't feel like it, is essential. I will improve, eventually. If you want to pursue classical voice study, start NOW! The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to learn. I do thank God for the opportunity to study, and to study under such a brilliant teacher. I am grateful for her patience with me, as well. I know I am a challenge for her. So, I guess this weeks blog is just one about feeling a bit down.. yes, I do get down, every once in a while. BUT, chin up and continue on... Thank you, Jesus, for keeping me focused on the learning and trying to improve, and mostly, on YOU..and not on the things that frustrate me. All the glory to God!

Voice Lesson #37

This weeks lesson was great! Lots of awesome info! I think the relationship between the soft palate, vowel shapes, muscles, and an open throat is finally making sense. It takes a tremendous amount of concentration at this point, and I can't seem to hold the soft palate continuously, but I will get it, sooner or later, and at the rate I'm going it will be later. It's going to take training those muscles, and a lot of muscle memory! The only way to get there is practice and lots of it! So, I forge ahead, as usual! My teacher was asking me which song I would want to do at the recital, so I told her. She agrees with my choice, but really would like to see me do two..the second one is undecided. We started a new one this week, and I think it may be the one, but am really not sure. I am finding that even with an open throat, the tongue is still giving me trouble, especially on AH and A. AH tends to be an easier vowel for most, but not me. I also still have a huge issue with furrowing! Concentration and worry show up on my face, all the time! Continuing on, with much dedication and determination, and a very positive attitude is still key. Practice everyday and never giving up, is also key. Without all of these things I won't get anywhere. My teacher is fantastic and continues to have so much patience with me, which I am so grateful for! One of these days I will make her proud :) I am, as always, so thankful to God for allowing me to do this, at all. He has blessed me so much! I am truly and forever grateful and faithful to Him. Thank you, Jesus for all you do for me, everyday! Without Him, I would not be doing this at all..that's the truth!

Voice Lesson #36

Hey Gang! I am getting closer and closer to it being a year since I began Classical Voice training. Yesterday's lesson was great in that, as always, my teacher had great info to share, but unfortunately, my allergies have been acting up and hindered me. We worked on all the usual suspects, but I am having particular trouble with the AH vowel, in all parts of my range. Now, at my last lesson, my teacher snuck a G at the top of the staff, into one of our exercises. When she told me, "that was a G!", I was really surprised because up until that point I couldn't get passed the F. So, yesterday we're going through a particular exercise, going higher and higher and I was thinking to myself, "I wonder if she's gonna take me to the G, again?". Well, we hit the last high note and she pauses, looks at me, and says, "that was an A flat". I said "no kidding?!!" We both laughed because it was surprising and exciting! And the really amazing thing is that it didn't seem that high! It makes me wonder how much top I have up there! Ok, so we also worked on songs, and started a new one. The songs are always more challenging that the exercises because you have conconants thrown in, to deal with. It doesn't seem as though it should make singing that much more difficult, but it does. We also have the summer recital coming up soon, so I am really trying to have something ready for that, but ready or not I WILL be performing in it. I need to, it will be good for me. Oh, how I love this journey! God is so cool, that He would allow me to do something that I love so much. Before I began, almost a year ago, I had no desire to learn classical technique, but He has truly put a passion in my heart for this. I will not give up, but forge ahead, and ahead, and ahead! I want to be the best classically trained singer I can be, for His purpose! And yeah, plus it's just darn fun...challenging, for sure, and requiring a lot of hard work and determination, but just plain fun, too! I know, I know, some of you are asking yourselves, how in the world can learning "Classical Technique" be fun?...well, it just is! Praise Jesus, He is awesome!

Voice Lesson #35

Finally!! I feel like I am making some progress! I figured out, last week, that my tongue was causing me to lose space and height when I would sing. It's as if my tongue causes the sound to cut off. My teacher and I have been talking about this for a couple of weeks, I guess, and I mentioned at this weeks lesson that I do think it's the tongue. She was in full agreement, but I know she knew that already. It was good for me, though, to realize it. We worked on the Passaggio and the top, and the tongue, this week. I feel like it was a great lesson, not only because my teacher had great info, as always, but she said she is hearing some good things...and also, I hit a G! Now, the highest I've been able to hit is an F, but she snuck this G in on me and I didn't even realize it! It really motivated me! The work on the tongue was really good, too...very encouraging. So not only did I have a super lesson, but the past two practice sessions, since my lesson have been great! I can really hear some improvement. Very exciting for me, and I know my teacher is happy about it, too! I am just really feeling so motivated, right now. Of the five new songs, we have been focusing on two, and one of them, I feel like is really coming along..the other is more difficult and I'm not hearing as much improvement but that's ok..there is improvement, overall, and that is awesome! Also, I am finding that I am slowly getting past my issue of not being able to sing at my lessons, like I know I can. Praise God, thank you, Jesus!! I love this journey! Oh, and there won't be a lesson blog for next week because we're off for Easter, but I may comment on my practices. Stay tuned! And speaking of Easter, please remember that Jesus died and rose for YOU! He loves you and wants a relationship with you....so, what are you waiting for? He makes all things new! :)

Voice Lesson #34

I figured out, last week, that I lose space and height when I am singing. I mentioned it to my teacher, so now we are working on my muscle memory. I really think this is a big problem, of many, for me. I have to get those muscles trained so I can consistently keep the right amount of space available for the sound to flow through. When I lose space, the sound drops to chest and gets caught in my throat. Not good! Also, still working on the Passaggio area..always a difficult zone, for me. I do really like the songs we're working and think that at some point they will sound good. They are definitely a challenge, though, which is good. We have the summer recital coming up and I will either be participating in that or singing with my teacher for the old folks, at a home, which would be fun! I am working to sound decent for one of these events. Singing in public is something that I need to do as much as possible, even though it makes me a nervous wreck! The more I do it, the better...and every opportunity gives me a goal to work towards. I WILL get good at this.. it does, and will continue to take time and work, but I sure do love it! Thank you, Lord, for such an amazing opportunity! I am so blessed :)

Voice Lesson #33

This weeks lesson was chock full of great info, which is certainly not unusual. I was singing terribly, though! Trouble with the Passaggio area was not helping and my chest voice is a ham..it always wants the attention and has to try and dominate all the time. Well no more, chest voice...you're outta here! At least, that's my goal :) I was thinking today, that I need to pretend that my chest voice doesn't even exist, because how can I continually pull it up, if it's not there, right? I really have to concentrate on space, height, and head voice! Not that I don't think about this all the time, anyway, but more, more, more! I have Festival in a little under a year and the summer recital, which I think I might do. It's yet another goal for me to work towards and another opportunity to sing in front of a group. It scares me to death to think about it, but that's just another reason to do it. How singing in front of a group of parents and kids makes me more nervous than singing in front of a Festival judge, who is an expert classical singer, and critiquing everything I do, is beyond me...but it does. I believe though, every opportunity is a part of progressing and improving, potentially. I need to take each one, whether I feel comfortable or not, and whether I am afraid or not. I do feel a little weird though, about singing for a group of parents who are there to hear their child perform. I am sure I would be the only adult performance, but this will be good for me. We have 5 new songs to work on and have started 3 of them..I am sure one of them will be for the recital, but so far , they are all a challenge. I suppose though, that if they were not challenging, what would the point be?..I am learning. :) Thank you, Jesus, again, for being so awesome and allowing me to be involved in classical voice. I don't know what your plan is, but I am loving every moment of it, even when I have very bad singing days. Failing will always be a part of improving. Today's practice was much better than it has been in a week, so that is good! It's all a blessing! And I thank again, my teacher and my husband for being so patient and encouraging!

Voice Lesson #32

Today's lesson was great, as always! We started out with exercises to warm up with, and then worked on a new song and I was given music for 2 others, which makes 4 new songs that we're working on. One of them is in one of my books. My teacher chose songs that would not take me to far to my top, so as not to strain my abs just yet. The two that we worked on, lie pretty much in the Passaggio area, which is still very difficult for me. I am really trying to work on that. Engagement is getting easier, though when I really tighten those ab muscles, I certainly feel the pain, still. I am getting there, though! I am excited about working on these new songs..each song we do is always a challenge in many ways, and now I have next years Festival to look to, and work towards. Each year we have to advance, so next year will be more difficult, I'm sure. I am looking forward to the challenge! The bad news about this weeks lesson, is that I did not realize that my recorder was low on memory and so it only recorded 15 minutes of the hour lesson. I realized something was a miss when I went to turn the recorder off and it was already off. I asked my teacher if she had turned it off, which is fine with me, if she does...I just didn't remember doing it and was trying to figure out what had happened. Well, I realized what went wrong, when I got home and went to transfer the recording to the computer. UGH...only 15 minutes!! I was sick over it! But it taught me to always check for memory!! I will not forget again! Well, that's all I have for this week. Y'all have wonderful day and keep your eyes on Jesus..and if you don't know Him, what are you waiting for?? :)

Voice Lesson #31... First Time Since Surgery..and Judge's Comments!

Decked out in sweat pants, because it's all I can wear right now, I happily went to my lesson, today! It was my first one since I had my surgery. I couldn't wait! I missed it so much! It was great to see my teacher and catch up on things, and to be taught again! I was really surprised that my singing wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I think my teacher was surprised, too. I had only been practicing for a little over a week, on a regular basis, which means that I didn't sing for almost three weeks! It was not easy to get back into it. My voice did not want to cooperate with me..not to mention my lower abs had very little strength. It's been difficult to engage for breath support and control, but it's getting better. The more I heal, the stronger they get. It was a great lesson, as usual though, but extra special because I had been away for so long.. Now, I know festival was last month, but yesterday was the first time I got to see the judges sheet for my performance. I did not have my glasses with me, so my teacher read me the comments...I was really very surprised! There are certain categories that you're judged in and for each of them you are given a plus or minus. I got only one minus, which was under breath support. This did not surprise me at all. This is an area where I need a lot of improvement. I was however, very surprised that I got plus marks in everything else. The comments were all great except for a couple, which were helpful, for sure! I could not believe that this judge, who is a wonderful opera singer and has sung professionally, around the world, gave me such great comments! I was happy, too, that she was very specific. Now, believe me, I know that I have a lot of improvements to make and a lot to learn, but this was definitely encouraging! I sure hope I made my teacher proud! All the glory to God for allowing me to have such a great teacher, and for giving to her such talent, knowledge, and ability to teach. My teacher has an amazing voice and truthfully, if I can someday sing just half as well as she does, I will be thrilled! Praise God, for the life He has given me and the people He has put in it! I am blessed beyond measure!

Week Two, Post Op... No Singing Yet

So, had a wonderful time at the NFMC festival, and received a Superior rating...incredible! Then I had surgery and I'm on my second week of no singing. I can take the pain and the boredom, but it's the not signing that's driving me nuts! My doctor did not give me any restrictions concerning singing, but I have tried and my abs are not yet ready to engage. I have spoken to a couple of ladies on a Hysterectomy thread who are classical singers and they said it was at least three weeks before they began easing their way back into it. I am planning on trying again, this week. I have given a couple of vocalises a try, but I can't get very far. Not only is it painful, but I do not want to risk hurting myself. I have severe lifting restrictions and I know that strain on the abs, no matter where it comes from, is not good at this point. I have an appointment with my Doc this week and will ask her about it. I will explain in greater detail, the role that the abdominals play in classical voice technique, and see what she says. I certainly want to heal correctly the first time, but not being able to practice is the worst part of this! I know that probably sounds crazy, considering I had major surgery and have who knows how many stitches, internally..but singing and music is what I do..it's my thing and I miss it. It's going to take a little time to ease back into it, too. But as soon as I can I will, and I won't give up! I am hoping too, that by the time I get back to my lessons, which hopefully won't be too long, I will be able to show my teacher what I can really do, and not just somewhat. She is an outstanding teacher and deserves to hear what her teaching is doing for my singing. I want so much to be good at this and it may be taking me longer than some, but I will not give up..I will keep on, keeping on and eventually, be the best darn classical singer I can be! Before my surgery my teacher told that I would be fine, because God is on my side..she was right and He is also on my side with voice. He led me into it and will continue to lead me just as He's done with my surgery and everything else in my life! I am nothing without Him. I thank and praise Him, everyday, for all He does for me! Thank you, Jesus! Hopefully, by the time I post here, again, I will be back into my practicing! :)

Voice Lesson #30 ...Festival!

During this weeks lesson, I was trying to fight off a cold..it's been a battle for sure! However, I went to the ENT, today and got loaded down with medication to fend it off..I think I may win! Please God, let me win! I CAN'T be sick!! NO, NO, NO!! So anyway, my lesson was great, as usual. I always leave with a wealth of information. It was a bit of a bummer for me though, because it was my last lesson until sometime after my surgery. I don't know how long I will be unable to sing, but I am assuming at least a few weeks because the abdominal muscles are so greatly involved with classical technique. So, that means no lessons AND no practicing..but I will ask my Doc about it and see what she thinks. In the mean time, my teacher gave me some great speaking exercises to do, while I am recovering. I will most definitely work on that! Now, let me get to Festival. I participated in my first NFMC Festival, last weekend. How can I say this?... I LOVED IT! I was one of two adults, I believe, that participated.. the rest were kids, but it was a great experience for me. I began performing in front of audiences when I was just a kid, and have always been comfortable doing so. The last performance I gave was after the oil Spill, a few years ago, in Grand Isle. It was fun and I really wasn't very nervous, but I also wasn't trying to sing with classical technique, and it was also not in front of a judge, for a rating. It was just my guitar and me, entertaining a crowd. Festival, however, is a whole different ball game, and different type of "performing". Here's how it goes.. as a student of classical voice, I had to learn two pieces. One was a "required" piece from the NFMC festival list, and the other was a chosen piece. Fortunately, I already had two that I knew and had been working on, that I could use. I was sure I would be a nervous wreck as I was going over my pieces, again and again, on my drive in. When I got there, I signed in, saw my teacher, was introduced to my accompanist, and put in a room with a judge. I really had no time to worry too much, and though I was nervous, I was not as nervous as I thought I would be. I kept thinking that if I could sing as well there, as I do at my lessons, I'd be happy with that. Well, I think they came out a tad better..certainly not great, but I was pleased. I think a big part of it was because I knew I only had one shot..blowing it completely was not an option. The most difficult part though, was "selling" the songs...performing them and not just singing them. As my teacher has told me, the judge is there to see me perform, not watch me worry about the technical. I had to be the characters for the time it took to sing these two pieces. That was not easy because my brain wants to concentrate on the technical, and my teacher knows I have this issue. She kept reminding me, "whatever you do, sell them!" I needed to hear that over and over! So, I went in, not having practiced with my accompanist and it went really, very smoothly. She followed everything I did. My teacher said she was great and she is. So, all in all, I was pleased with my performance, and my teacher seemed happy with it, too, which is very important to me. I did the best I could do, at the time. I won't know what type of rating I got until later in the week, but I am not expecting much. I am however, looking forward to any criticism she gave me. I want so much to improve! I was extremely motivated before festival to work hard, to be the best classical singer I can be, but now, I am over the top motivated. I loved doing this type of performance, regardless of how it came out...I can't wait to do more. I can't even really explain it, but it was so different than anything I have ever been used to, and there is something about the classical essence of it that I am drawn to. Maybe it's all that opera that my parents made me listen to as a kid, that is finally coming to the surface, who knows. What I do know is that I love learning classical technique, practicing, learning what it means to perform in a classical sense, the people that I have been able to meet, I love the whole environment that I am being exposed to. It takes me back to when I was kid, in the 70's, and I played a "choir boy" in the opera, Tosca. There was something, even then, about the people I met and the rehearsals, and just the general atmosphere that I loved and felt drawn to. I remember meeting for the first time, Roberta Palmer, who played Tosca.. I was mesmerized. I believe it was a dress rehearsal, when I first met her. I went to her dressing room and she was so nice. She gave me an autograph and I was in awe. I remember she was wearing one of her costumes at the time and she was larger then life, to me. I'm really not sure what drew me away from that and into bands, and that type of musical environment. Though I loved my band days, and have great memories of them, and am still friends with a lot of the people I played with, there was always something about the classical that I guess was buried inside somewhere. Whatever happened, I am thankful that God has pulled it to the surface and put a fire in me for this! He has put me on this path for a reason and I am loving the journey, the people, the experience! I have such a long way to go and so much to learn, but boy, am I enjoying it! I am so thankful to have God, my amazing husband, and my brilliant teacher, on this road with me! Thank you, Jesus, for letting me do something so awesome!

Voice Lesson #29

Today we went over everything concerning festival, which is coming up this weekend. We went over my pieces, times, what to expect, what to do, etc... I think this is going to be a great experience for me, regardless of how well I do, or not. I know the nerves are going to kick in, in major fashion, so that won't be a surprise. I just hope I can sing as well there, in front of a judge , as I do at my lessons (which is not great). If I can do that, I'll be happy. But regardless, even if I completely fail, just making it through will be a huge accomplishment for me. And there is always next year, to try and do better. My teacher is a great support and I am so thankful for her. She has taught me so much that I otherwise would not have learned. Granted, I still have a very long way to go, but I have begun the journey and intend to continue on. Festival is sort of like my first big hurdle, and once I make it over this one, I can move on to the next hurdle. I am nervous, yes, but excited, too! I'm sure this doesn't seem like a big deal to most, but to me, it's huge! My husband has also been a great support to me. He's been cheering me on from the get go. I will do my best and see what happens. I am prepared for whatever criticism they give me, and I will use it to improve in the future. Thank you, Lord for this awesome opportunity, and all the terrific people you've put in my path! I am so grateful!

Voice Lesson #28

So, festival is coming up in less than two weeks. I have one more lesson before it gets here. If I can sing my pieces as well as I do at my lessons, which is not great, I will be happy. The thing I think I'm most concerned about, is selling them. I have to relay the songs with my expressions, basically...become the character and convince the listener of what I am saying, through body language. It's performance on a whole new level for me. I am used to singing the songs that I write...but now, I am singing someone else's songs and have to translate them through the performance..not easy for me. Thinking about the character and breath support at the same time is no easy task. But, we'll go in there and I'll give it my best shot and see what happens. I still have a long road on this journey of learning classical voice, and there is always next years festival to show improvement. I am still struggling with singing in front of other people. Now, as y'all know, this was never a problem for me when I was singing incorrectly. It's only since I have begun classical voice that I have this issue. Maybe I am afraid to show that I can do it, who knows. I am still trying to figure it out. I WILL get past it though, I am sure of that. Even singing in front of my husband causes me problems with the technique. Maybe if I practice in front of him all the time, It will help. I tell my teacher all the time, "I can do it so much better than this!". Well, I'll just keep moving ahead and continue to practice and improve, and one of these days, it will come out at my lessons like it has never come out before and my teacher will be amazed! :) And I think then, we will move to a whole new level of singing and learning. I look forward to that day..I know it's coming! I am truly learning so much from my teacher, I just need to be able to show her. I thank and praise God, though, for the struggle I am having. If this was all a piece of cake, it wouldn't be much of a victory, would it? Failure and struggling is all part of learning something new. And as the saying goes, if it was easy, it wouldn't be worth doing. Thank you, Jesus, for the trials and the opportunity to learn, struggle, fail, and improve. And also for the wonderful people you have put in my life, on this journey of classical voice.

Voice Lesson #27

This weeks lesson was great, as usual! Not that I sang well, but always great info and instruction from my teacher! My middle range, the Passaggio area, is still giving me trouble. I suppose someday I will conquer it. I struggle there, with the chest voice..it tends to want to dominate. My muscles can't seem to figure out which way to go..head or chest..they need to go with head voice! I will keep practicing and plugging away at it, and one of these days, it'll work! I also realized at this weeks lesson, that I am limiting myself...I may even be limiting myself when I'm practicing at home too, not sure. I found with this weeks practice that when I really think about support and really apply that support..wow, what a difference! Support is everything...EVERYTHING, with classical voice! I cannot emphasize that enough. We worked also on the festival pieces, which are coming along.. they are better at home, but still coming along at lessons,too. I am still struggling with "selling" the songs. The performance is key at festival. The judges want to see me perform, not think about all of the technical. As my teacher said, I am there to be the characters singing the songs, not someone trying to show what I can do, technically. I am looking forward to this, I think it'll be a good experience for me. I am off next week, so will only have two more lessons before festival. Y'all have a wonderful week and remember to thank and praise God for all that He does for you, and allows you to do! He is an awesome GOD! Thank you, Jesus!

Voice Lesson #26

I'm sorry this lesson post has taken so long to get up, but I have had a bit of a stressful last few days. Anyway, my lesson was great! As usual, we went over plenty of info. We even got into acoustics, a bit. I still struggle with that Passaggio area..it's a brute! My singing is definitely improving though, I just need to get better at singing at my lessons. Mentally though, it's good for me to hear improvement. Now, festival is coming up in just a few weeks. I have been planning on going, but 2 days ago I found out that I am going to have to have surgery, soon. I don't know when yet, but I'm hoping it is after festival. I really want to get this under my belt. I think singing for a judge, no matter how badly it might come out, is going to be good for me. My teacher and I have been working on the songs that I'll be performing, and that's a key word, performing! She told me that even if they don't come out well, I still have to sell them. The judge wants to see me perform, not think about the technical. I have to get that through my head! One thing I'm nervous about is that I won't be able to sing for several weeks, at least I assume that I won't, after my surgery. Classical voice uses all the ab muscles, and more! It's very physical, so I'm pretty sure it'll be out of the question for a few weeks, anyway, so I'd love to get festival in! So, I will see y'all next week for another blog post. Keep your eyes on Jesus...He loves you!